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Panel To Develop Recommendations for A State Action Plan To Increase Prevention, Improve Treatment and Diagnosis

Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leaders Dean Skelos and Jeffrey Klein today announced the creation of the Senate Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases to examine state and federal efforts to combat the continued spread of these diseases and make recommendations for a plan to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

College Scholarships Awarded to Young Leaders, Informative Workshops Among the Highlights of the Two-Day Event

The New York State Senate today celebrated the conclusion of the third annual Unidad Latina conference, which brought hundreds of community, business, and elected leaders together to help increase economic opportunities for the growing Hispanic community in New York State. The conference was held on September 27th and 28th, 2013, in Manhattan.

The New York State Senate approved the 2013-14 state budget that delivers on priorities outlined by the Senate Republican Conference to provide much-needed tax relief for middle-class families, help businesses create jobs, and, for the third consecutive year, the budget keeps spending growth below two percent, which is consistent with the local spending cap that applies to school districts and local governments. It was also the third consecutive budget approved prior to the April 1 deadline.

The New York State Senate today gave final passage to legislation to keep convicted drunk drivers from evading ignition interlock device usage. The bill (S5859), sponsored by Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr.

In a new, significant initiative to create jobs and strengthen the state’s economy, the New York State Senate today gave final passage to legislation (S5903) to establish the START-UP NY program that will create tax-free areas around the state’s colleges, universities and other designated areas. The bill would also address the need for regulatory relief for businesses, a major priority of the Senate Majority Coalition.

The New York State Senate passed an historic package of bills today that would ensure equal pay for women, strengthen laws against human trafficking, provide greater support and protection for victims of domestic violence, stop sexual harassment, and end discrimination of women in the workplace related to gender, pregnancy, and family status.

The New York State Senate passed legislation (S5068A) today, sponsored by Senator Simcha Felder (D, Brooklyn), that would enable drivers to have proof of auto insurance on their smartphones, rather than having to produce a paper insurance card.

The New York State Senate today gave final passage to legislation (S4088C), sponsored by Senator Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), that would allow New York City to use mechanical lever voting machines in both the primary a

The New York State Senate today passed the Nonprofit Revitalization Act (S5845), sponsored bySenator Michael Ranzenhofer (R-C-I, Amherst), that would – for the first time in 40 years – overhaul state laws that govern charities and other not-for-profit organizations. “The state laws that apply to not-for-profits were enacted in 1969 and, since that time, there has been no comprehensive review and update -- until now,” Senator Ranzenhofer said. “Millions of New Yorkers depend on not-for-profits to respond in times of emergency, provide health care, and offer vital community assistance, among many other services.

The New York State Senate today gave final passage to legislation (S4777D), sponsored by Senator Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), that would protect providers of services for the developmentally disabled from state funding cuts. The legislation would appropriate up to $90 million, or as much as is needed, to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to protect providers from funding reductions if recommended savings measures falls short of projections.

The New York State Senate today approved the “Public Assistance Integrity Act,” sponsored by Senator Tom Libous (R-C-I, Binghamton), that would help cut down on the flagrant abuse of EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards by prohibiting welfare recipients from using cash assistance to purchase tobacco, alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets or to gamble.

"Public assistance is designed to help needy families provide for their children until they can transition back to the workforce and become self-sufficient,” Senator Libous said. “This common-sense legislation would protect hardworking taxpayers from abuse while ensuring that families receiving welfare benefits continue to get the temporary assistance they need and deserve.”

The New York State Senate today passed a comprehensive legislative package that provides relief to people and communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy, aids rebuilding efforts, and increases disaster preparedness.

The New York State Senate today gave final legislative passage to legislation, sponsored bySenator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), to ensure individuals with autism are able to receive insurance coverage for applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy as intended under New York State’s autism insurance reform law. The legislation is in response to regulations implemented by the New York State Department of Financial Services which have dramatically limited the number of ABA practitioners where individuals with autism can receive therapy which is covered by insurance.

The New York State Senate passed a package of legislation today to help New York’s military veterans achieve success in business, employment and education. The Senate passed a bill (S2803A), sponsored by Senator Greg Ball (R-C, Pawling), that would establish a program to provide state contract preferences for small businesses owned by service disabled veterans. The bill would mirror a highly successful program for federal contracting. Information released by the New York State Department of Labor and the U.S. Census stated that nearly 20 percent of recent veterans under the age of 30 are unemployed. It was also reported that a staggering 28 percent of Gulf War-II era veterans reported having a service-connected disability.

The New York State Senate today gave final legislative passage to a bill that would require all birthing facilities to screen newborn babies for congenital heart defects (CHDs) through a process called pulse oximetry screening.